Smokin' At The Half Note - Wes Montgomery

As a musician I try to listen a wide variety of music. I was always encouraged at an early age by my father to do so and thus I have developed an appreciation for a wide variety of music genres.  Being a guitarist I often seek and find inspiration in listening to other guitar players, especially those that came long before my time, those who are innovators and who stand out "above" the rest (in my opinion at least).  Wes Montgomery is one such guitarist, and some years ago while trying to find something "new" to inspire me I found "Smokin' At The Half Note".

I was, and still am truly inspired whenever I listen to this album.  Recorded in 1965 at The Half Note Club in New York as well as at Van Gelder Studios in New Jersey, Wes Montgomery is accompanied by Miles Davis' rhythm section ('59-'63) - Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers & Jimmy Cobb.

"Smokin' At The Half Note" has eleven tracks of straight ahead Jazz and a few Jazz ballads - "Misty" & "Portrait Of Jennie". My faves would be "Four On Six", "No Blues", "Misty" and "Unit 7". 


I'm not a Jazz guitarist and at present have no intention of becoming one but hearing a great musician play always gives me a good feeling, no matter the genre. So if you are into Jazz and are a collector of a wide variety, this is a great album to check out and a must have.


Here he is performing "Impressions" in Belgium 1965




Have a great day!

A Common Case Of Disappearing - Amber Rubarth

A few months ago I had the pleasure of meeting Amber Rubarth at a gig. Coincidentally we both were going to be in Jamaica the day after our meeting and my dad and I were invited to pass by the studio where she would be recording. Amber was actually working on some recordings as a member of a group with Dave Eggar which by the way is an amazing Cellist. 

Anyhow, I asked her if she had done any recordings on her own, she said yes but didn't have any copies at that moment. She eventually emailed me a link to download  her album - "A Common Case Of Disappearing" 

 

If you know me well, there are only a few genres I don't listen much so I'm always open to new things. This album is labeled on iTunes as "Singer/Songwriter","Pop". Some of the songs remind me a little bit of when I used to listen to Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me", but it's not a Jazz album.  

It always amazes me the amount of new music and artists that exists in the world but we are only exposed to that which the major companies want to push/promote to be "commercially successful".

"A Common Case Of Disappearing" has nine tracks of which my favorites are "Letter To My Lonelier Self", "City Starts To Bloom", "Mirror" and "One Last Look".

A really nice album to listen, chill, have a drink. If you're into guitar oriented singer/songwriter styles of music, this is a great album for you to check out in my opinion. 

Here's a video showing the making of some of the tracks and a little bit of history behind the album

Have A Great Day!!

Electrifying Grooves Of DiVersion - Robert Dubwise

After this album's initial release in 2010 it was withdrawn from all online stores due to an unforeseen issue. Now slated for release again this month with two tracks that weren't previously released, check out "Electrifying Grooves Of DiVersion" - Robert Dubwise

As you all know I am Robert Dubwise,  so I thought it best to hear what others had to say about this album instead of going at it myself.

"As a radio host I love the vibrant and expressive sounds that come from this body of work. Taking me back to the authentic bedtracking used to deliver the news and special broadcasts on radio during primetime hours.
Eclectic, Evolving and Enticing are a few simple words to describe 'Electrifying Grooves Of DiVersion' " - Carrie Mullings (Host of Rebel Vibez On CHRY 105.5 FM Toronto, Canada)

."....guitarist Robert "Dubwise" Browne establishes himself as one of the top instrumentalists to come out of Jamaica. From the urban contemporary groove of  "You Got Me" to the to the achingly romantic  "It's So Beautiful," to the electrifying pace of "On My Mind," this recording can be played in any format: reggae, smooth jazz, traditional jazz and dancehall. ...... "Electrifying Grooves Of DiVersion" solidifies Robert "Dubwise Browne's place in this pantheon. -- Shelah Moody (former writer/journalist for San Francisco Chronicle).

This album is a great album to have in your collection for one reason, there is no other like it on the market today, there never was, and there probably never will be another. So check it out, hope you enjoy my "Electrifying Grooves Of DiVersion"  

Here's Robert Dubwise performing "You Got Me" & "Sun Is Shining" (Bob Marley Cover)

Have A Great Day!